Invitation To A Study Session

"We have final exams coming up soon, what should we do this time?"

One day, after the sports festival, the heat was getting hotter and hotter. Minato was having lunch with Kazuma at the school cafeteria when Kazuma said something like that to him.

Normally, Momose would eat with them, but lately she was eating with Airi.

It seemed that she was concerned about Minato's refusal to eat with her last time, as Kazuma took the trouble to ask her.

"I'm sure you're all aware of Ninomiya's situation, so I'm hoping the four of us can study together this time. Though in the end, I think it's up to her to decide."

She said no last time because there was no way they could tell Kazuma and Momose their situation, but they already knew what was going on, and Airi and Momose seem to have a good relationship.

And although Minato would like Airi to participate, he wouldn't force her. In the end, it was up to her.

"I see. I'm sure Shiori will ask Ninomiya-san, but you should ask her as well."

"Got it."

"Also, if we're going to do this together, we'll need a place, and it can't be my house, right?"

"Of course not, my house is too small for the four of us to study together, so we'll probably go to Momose's house. That's your girlfriend's house, is that okay with you?"

Kazuma's house would be uncomfortable for Airi, and Minato's house would be impossible due to space constraints, so Momose's house was the only choice.

But it had been a long time since Minato had been in Momose's house. He hadn't been to Momose's house since Kazuma and Momose started dating back in middle school.

When he looked at Kazuma's face, he wondered if it was okay for a man who was not her boyfriend to enter the house, even if they were childhood friends. However, Kazuma had a bright smile on his face as usual.

"What are you holding back for? Don't worry about it. Shiori doesn't care either."

"Thanks, man."

"But…"

Kazuma made a face as if he was biting down on a gnawing insect as he spat out a few slurred words.

It was unusual for him to make this kind of face, and Minato could not think of a reason.

"But, what?"

"I want you to make sure you bring Ninomiya-san."

Kazuma asked with an impatient look on his face. Minato could understand why he himself and Momose would care so much about Airi, but he couldn't understand why Kazuma would also care so much about her.

Kazuma's attitude towards Airi was that she was just 'a friend', and he drew a proper line between the two, which made Minato wonder about his seriousness in asking Minato to bring her.

"Why do you care so much about it?"

"Shiori's been making a lot of fuss about Ninomiya-san lately, so I want her to calm down at this point. Also, I'll be able to study better with you around."

"…You're having a hard time, huh?"

Minato knew that Momose liked Airi, but he didn't think it was enough to bring it up when she was with Kazuma.

Although Minato was surprised, he smiled as he could easily imagine the scene.

The two of them had always had trouble concentrating, and Minato was the one who had to pull them back into studying every time.

The reason why their scores dropped on the last test was probably because Minato was not there to act as a brake.

"…It's nice to see her happy, but it's complicated. You're going to have to get involved for a change."

It wasn't that Minato didn't like Momose, it was just that he had been with her for a long time and he had always trusted her.

Kazuma pleaded with a tired look on his face, but Minato didn't want to get caught up in Momose's outburst of tension.

"No way."

When Minato refused, Kazuma hung his head in disappointment.

"A study session?"

"Yeah, I was wondering if you'd like to join me this time. Have you heard from Momose?"

"Yes, she asked me recently, but…"

Minato asked her after dinner, but she gave him a complicated look that was a mixture of happiness and apology.

She didn't seem too keen on the idea.

"You don't like it? If so, you can say no."

"It's not that I don't want to, I just wonder if it's really okay."

Apparently, she was just being reserved.

She didn't have to worry about it because Momose wanted her to attend, but Airi couldn't help but wonder.

It was typical of Airi to be strangely cautious about other people, especially girls, but Minato laughed at the idea as she didn't have to go to such lengths for Momose, with whom she had become so close with.

"Momose invited you, so don't be shy."

"I understand. Then, what do you think, Kujo-senpai?"

"What do you mean?"

"Do you want me to join the study session?"

She asked Minato what he really thought, and he had already made up his mind.

"I think I'll leave it to Ninomiya. If you don't want to, you can say no. If you want to participate, you can."

"That's not an answer. Do you want me to participate? Or do you not want me to?"

Apparently, she wanted to hear Minato's personal thoughts.

She looked at Minato with a serious gaze, as if saying that she would not allow this matter to go unanswered.

He didn't know why she was asking this so seriously, because in the end, it was all about what Airi wanted to do.

However, it was not an atmosphere he could run away from, so he said it with the thought that it wasn't mandatory.

"I'd like you to join us, and I'd like you to get to know those two as well."

"Okay, I'll join."

She had been quite reluctant, but now, she said she would join very easily.

Minato wondered if it was a good idea to make such an easy decision.

"That was an easy decision. I'm not trying to force you to do anything. Are you pushing yourself?"

"I'm not pushing myself."

"Are you sure?"

"Why would I lie here? If I didn't want to do something, I'd say no."

He asked her to be sure and looked at her face, but she smiled softly. Minato was relieved that she wasn't lying to him.

To be honest, Minato was glad that she would participate.

With the exception of boys, Airi usually paid too much attention to girls.

That was why he hoped that she and Momose would have a relationship where she could talk without hesitation. It was just Minato's personal opinion, so he wouldn't tell Airi.

He also wanted them to get to know each other better, but Minato had another goal in mind.

"All right. And I'm sorry, but I have a favor to ask Ninomiya."

"A favor? That's unusual. What is it?"

Indeed Minato rarely asked Airi for anything.

She always asked him what he wanted for dinner, and Minato answered what he wanted to eat, but that was probably the exception.

For someone who had cooked before, it was quite painful to be told that anything was fine. So, he told her clearly what he wanted to eat, but he almost never asked for anything else.

But in this case, he had no choice but to ask Airi.

"I want you to watch Momose study."

"Shiori-san can't do her studies?"

"No, she's about average, but she can't concentrate and starts playing too soon. I want you to stop that."

It would take a lot of energy to pull those two back to study every time.

It would be a lot different if Airi were to join in and just play the role of a brake.

Airi's eyes blinked, as she didn't think she would be playing such a role.

"Eh, me?"

"Yes. You're in the same grade, and Momose likes you. However, I want you to be strict with her. Can you do that?"

"Strict? I'm sure there's no need to go that far."

"No, she would definitely play, so don't compromise. If you can't handle it, just let me know."

When Minato told her not to compromise, Airi's face clouded, but if Airi allowed Momose to do so, nothing good would come of it.

She was finally convinced when Minato prepared an escape route, saying that if she couldn't manage it, she could turn to him.

"If you insist, I understand. If I may, as a thank you for your request, I have a favor to ask of you as well."

"A favor? Okay, what is it?"

"I'll tell you when the final exams are over, so not now."

Then she grinned and gave him a wicked look. Minato raised an eyebrow as he had a bad feeling about this.

He had recently come to understand that when she made a request with this face, something bad would happen to his heart.

"You know, when you make that face, it's usually bad news."

"Oh, well. I'm looking forward to the study session."

He was blatantly dismissed, but seeing Airi's face, smiling softly and looking forward to the study session, he didn't feel like questioning her.